Not for the faint hearted (Toni & Guy)

Member Name: punkypickle

Product:	Toni & Guy
Date:	06/07/02 (14325 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Cheap, Trendy

Disadvantages: Foreign students you don't talk any english..although they do have translators on hand, Don't always get exactly what you want...although I'm sure you'll look better for it!, Takes 2-4 hours

When I was at Uni, my chum Zoe kept asking me to go with her to the Toni and Guy student academy. I didn't really know whether to go or not at first, but after getting increasingly jealous of Zo's increasingly cool hair cuts I decided to give it a whirl.

At that time I'd had my hair in a short bob and liked to spray on a bit on Sun-In every now and then (this was the closest I'd ever got to hair colour). So yes..not the most adventurous 20 year old student...

I thought at first that "student" academy meant that they gave cheap haircuts to poor students, which is only half right...I didn't realise that the people cutting my beloved blonde locks would be students themselves, but now over three years later, I wouldn't go anywhere else.

-BUT..STUDENT'S CUT YOUR HAIR???ARE YOU CRAZY?

Well...they may be Toni and Guy students but they usually aren't students in any other way. Many of the "students" are established hairdressers from overseas who fly over especially to learn all the latest hair styles designed by Toni and Guy. So you must not be upset if the hairdresser doesn't speak any English...


-OK..THAT DOESN'T SOUND AS BAD AS I THOUGHT..
HOW DO YOU GET STARTED?

First check your diary. Often the academy gets very busy and sometimes booked up so ring up the week before you want to go and have handy any times you are free. Generally the sessions are at 9.00am or 1.45pm, so if you work, you will need to take the day off. The salon isn't open at weekends either. So this can be a disadvantage. The receptionist will ask you if you want a change of style or a trim. Go for the "Change of Style" This is what I always get as I have heard that the trims are done by inexperienced trainees...and hey everyone likes a makeover right!

-WHAT NEXT?
I have a couple of hints for the day you go. You will have your hair washed so don't bot
her in the morning! Also don't wear any looped earrings, you'll be asked to take them out (up to you). Hate to say it but my friend's eyebrow ring got ripped out...I'm sure this was a one off..and it was kind of growing out anyway..if you know what I mean..so exchange loops for studs! I don't like wearing my necklaces either..Not only do I not want it to get caught...I think it would also be embarrassing for the student, if they are foreign and they get it caught (I'm so considerate!). Also wear something comfortable as the haircuts take a long time!

The haircut costs £5, and sometimes you can get free vouchers from local magazines. You have to be over 16 because of legal reasons, and I've seen some very upset people who either are too young, have an out of date voucher (so check it first!)or who haven't booked, get turned away.
If you're a guy..ask when you phone up if this is ok, as I've also seen men get turned away too because they mainly do female hair cuts...You'll probably be fine if you have quite long hair though...something to cut into!

On the day get there about 15 minutes early, as I think you get better haircuts because the good students will pick you first..

-AND THEN WHAT?

Well, after you have paid your fee, signed the disclaimer and handed in your coat, you will be greeted by the "Supervisors". These guys (and gals) are T&G professionals and they know exactly what they're talking about. They will ask you what you want to have done. I usually say..."FAB AND FUNKY", "SAVE ME FROM MY MULLET!"or "YOUR LATEST CREATION" and I usually get a smile and what I want! I also at this point ask if there's any possibility of having it dyed..and if they say yes you will be put in a different room.

You then take your seat and wait for a student to claim you as their own!

After everyone has been claimed, the supervisor&
#39;s will circulate and ask you in more depth what style you want. If you have any piccies of styles take them with you. Tney also have style books if you get really stuck. Then the process will begin! Expect to be in there for 2-4 hours, and take a book with you..as many students don't talk English so you won't be able to talk about holidays or the weather etc!

-GO ON THEN WHAT HAIRCUTS HAVE YOU HAD?

Ok...this is just so you can get an idea of what nice and extreme haircuts you can get. I ask for mad haircuts...if you ask for nice fringed and layered haircuts..that's what you'll get!

1) My nice bob disappeared and I had a funky fringe cut
2) 80's crossed basin hair....funky cut with long and short layers
3) Posh spice...you know when she had it short..and blonde?...that's what I looked like...and it was really nice
4) Normal funky punky look...kinda short and spikeyish
5)BADGER...my disaster cut...never ask for the receptionists haircut!I has a blonde mohawk with dark brown sides...and had to put up with all sorts of abuse until
6)Hedgehog-dark and blonde on the ends...short and funky
7)Another mohawk..long at back (funky mullet)
Brown at front and red at back...vey nice despite what you may think!

I leave it every 8-10 weeks between cuts as they need something to cut into.

Righto..the number is 0207 8360606 and the academy is in London. This particular one is on New Oxford St nearest tube Tottenham Court Road on central and nothern lines...
If you live miles away...call your local T&G as they too do a student night for £5 although you may have to pay extra if you want it dyed. I've never been to a local one but they are usually on Wednesday nights.

Well I hope this helped...I may add to this as I use a lot of T&G products that you can only buy in salons...and they're a lot better than the "Commercial range"....

thanks for readin
g if you got this far!

Pickle x

UPDATE!
I forgot to mention another benefit. If you are quite adventurous like me or you have very nice hair...the supervisors may ask you to come back as their own demo model. I've been asked twice but haven't been yet...maybe next time. This will mean that you get a free £80 haircut..but you have to sit on a stage with a lot of students watching..I'm tempted..but a bit shy about it...so if I ever pluck up the courage I'll let you know how it went!

UPDATE!
This week I went and got my free £80 haircut...the guy said that because I wasn't having a drastic change he'd cut it out the back and that they'd dye it for me. I thought this meant that I'd got out of going on the STAGE...hmm...My hair was cut really quickly which was lovely (for a change..I'm used to spending hours in the hairdressers) and the colourist was allowed to experiment on my hair. She dyed it a lovely chocolate brown and out some subtle light brown highlights in the front. It took a while..about 2hrs..and then just when I thought I got away with it...I was dragged onto the stage while she spoke about my hair...I think I would have preferred to sit on the stage the whole way through than walk out the way I did! There were about 30 people gawping at my mullet and some took photos...which was really embarrassing...but still if you can put up with this for an £80 haircut...fair enough! I don't feel any different from having my hair cut for £5...and I kinda think I preferred it...but I'll give it another try..and I'll let you know what I think!

Thanks for reading my lovelies!
P*

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